A successful partnership which has directly benefited patients across Scotland was recognised at an event at the Scottish Parliament this week. Continue reading Successful partnership praised at Holyrood
Tag: Scottish Parliament
Unions unite to challenge austerity cuts
GMB Scotland and Unite are organising a lobby of the Scottish Parliament to coincide with the stage one debate on Scottish Government budget which takes place at Holyrood at 2.40 pm today (Wednesday 3 February). Continue reading Unions unite to challenge austerity cuts
Active Kids time again
It’s that time of year again when Sainsburys Blackhall are launching our active kids vouchers (writes Gail Wilson).
This year we launched our Active Kids campaign at the Scottish parliament. Our store manager George Paton, Customer Service Manager Louisa Higgins and I had the great pleasure of meeting paralympic champion Ellie Simmonds, along with a group of children from Blackhall Primary school.
The children had a great time and showed that being active can be fun as they all bounced around on space hoppers they were given!
Make sure you collect your vouchers in store now as you shop!
Buzz of excitement as Flora serves up Holyrood honey
Great British Bake Off star Flora Shedden brought a buzz of excitement to the Scottish Parliament this week as she joined the Presiding Officer to unveil a specially commissioned bake made with honey from the Scottish Parliament’s beehives. Continue reading Buzz of excitement as Flora serves up Holyrood honey
Holyrood: ‘Welfare reforms are not working’
Controversial reforms to the benefits system are failing in their objective of encouraging the unemployed into work, according to new research published this week.
A report published by the Scottish Parliament’s Welfare Reform Committee has found “little support for the view that welfare reform is having important and positive impacts on the labour market in Scotland”. The reforms are estimated to take £1.5bn out of the Scottish economy, equivalent to £440 a year for every adult of working age, as evidenced in previous research for the Committee.
The research was conducted for the Committee by Christina Beatty and Steve Forthergill of Sheffield Hallam University and Donald Houston of the University of Glasgow. It sets out detailed analysis of the link between employment figures and the various welfare reforms.
Michael McMahon MSP, Convener of the Welfare Reform Committee, said: “This research presents firm evidence that welfare reforms are not working.
“Thousands of people in Scotland have faced upheaval in their lives as a result of these changes, yet they are not leading to more people entering the job market.
“Just as our Committee has already heard from witnesses, the report also shows that people are fighting on several fronts to make ends meet as they are hit by cuts to multiple benefits. This tallies with research we published earlier this year that concluded that parents and people with disabilities were being hit hardest by welfare reform.”
The report also argues that it is economic recovery, in the form of improved consumer spending and higher borrowing, that has contributed to higher employment levels (and reduced numbers of unemployed people in Scotland), rather than welfare reform.
Larger than average reductions in unemployment in the places hit hardest by welfare reform also happened in previous economic upturns. This makes it impossible to attribute recent trends to welfare reform.
Mr McMahon continued: “The most deprived areas of the country are contributing the most savings to the welfare budget. Yet rather than this shining a spotlight on the success of welfare reform it only serves to highlight that these areas are losing out financially against other, better-off parts of the country.”
Evidence was based on the impact of reforms introduced before 2015, however the report considers the likely impact of the £12bn of further welfare cuts recently announced by Chancellor, George Osbourne MP. It concludes that it is hard to see this new round of reductions having any greater impact on the labour market. Given that reductions to tax credits account for around half the additional planned saving, and that a large proportion of these cuts falls on in-work claimants, a reduction in the numbers on out-of-work benefits seems even less likely as a result of the new round of welfare reforms.
Professor Fothergill said: “This research delivers a severe blow to the Westminster government claims about the positive impact of welfare reforms on the labour market, not just in Scotland but potentially across the rest of the UK as well.”
Professor Fothergill will appear before the Committee on Tuesday (8 September).
Double exposure at Holyrood
Photography in sharp focus at the Scottish Parliament
World-leading photojournalism takes centre stage at the Scottish Parliament this summer as two inspirational exhibitions are unveiled today.
The World Press Photo (WPP) Exhibition 2015 is an international contest for photojournalists and features 130 moving and thought provoking images taken during the course of 2014. Once again the Scottish Parliament is the only Parliament in the world to host the exhibition.
Michael Peto: Politics in Focus includes photographs by Michael Peto – the celebrated Hungarian-born photographer who witnessed some of the most historic moments of the 1950s and 1960s. The exhibition includes a number of unseen photographs of some of the world’s most iconic figures. People who have shaped and changed the way we see the world including Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, Indira Ghandi and Jennie Lee.
Both exhibitions are free to visit and will be on display in the Scottish Parliament’s Main Hall and Burns Room (Committee Room 1) until Saturday 22 August.
The Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP said: “The photographs in these two exhibitions show photojournalism at its finest. The images may be split by decades but what they have in common is their quality and thought provoking nature. They capture moments of time and make us look at who we are and what we do in a different way.
“I am proud that the Scottish Parliament is once again home to remarkable photography exhibitions that offer the people of Scotland the chance to see these images in their Parliament.”
Award-winning actor Brian Cox, Rector at the University of Dundee and Patron of the Peto collection, added: “From humble beginnings Michael Peto grew into an incredible artist and photographer. With an intense interest in the variations of human form he had a talent for capturing his subjects in their natural environment.
“This collection is an extraordinary gift he has left us, so please learn, appreciate, enjoy.”
Women hit hardest by welfare reforms
‘inequalities faced by women have been exacerbated by the welfare reform agenda’ – Clare Adamson MSP
Women are being hit hard on multiple fronts by changes to the benefits system, according to a report published by Holyrood’s Welfare Reform Committee today.
The Committee found women are ‘disproportionately impacted’ by welfare reform across a range of issues and benefits. Its report includes recommendations to the Scottish Government and Department of Work and Pensions, aimed at mitigating the impact of welfare reform on women, including:
- An integrated approach to job seeking support across health, housing and social care, to better meet the needs of women.
- To tackle the greater dependence of women on the benefits system due to low pay and insecure employment, the Committee calls for better measures to close the gender pay gap and end occupational segregation.
Committee Convener Michael McMahon MSP, said: “The evidence we have set out confirms the devastating impact on women of the UK Government’s reforms to the social security system. Of particular concern is the cumulative impact on women hit by multiple benefits cuts, from child support to carer’s allowance.
“The UK Government urgently needs to look at how women are being affected by these changes and we are also calling on the Scottish Government to look at the gender impact of their own policy decisions.”
Deputy Convener Clare Adamson MSP, said: ““Our report shows inequalities faced by women in Scotland have been exacerbated by the welfare reform agenda. With the Scotland Bill still making its way through Westminster and the Chancellor set to announce even deeper cuts to welfare spending, the Committee is urging the Scottish Government to make use of expected new powers over welfare to help mitigate more of the negative impact of welfare reform on women.
“The Committee would, for instance, support a move away from monthly and single household payments under Universal Credit, as a way of protecting women’s financial autonomy.”
The report will come as no surprise to many, but perhaps of more concern is the scale of cuts still to come: Chancellor George Osborne is expected to announce a further £12 billion of welfare ‘savings’ in his budget on Wednesday.
Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess said more women could be pushed into poverty and disproportionately affected by social security reforms if the UK Government cuts £12 billion from its welfare budget.
Commenting on the Scottish Parliament’s Welfare Reform Committee’s Women and Social Security report Mrs Burgess expressed her fears that the UK Government’s emergency budget would only deepen the gender inequalities highlighted in the findings.
The report backed Scottish Government recommendations on payment flexibilities under Universal Credit and it also highlighted the need for gender impacts to be factored into any policy decisions.
Mrs Burgess will meet women at One Parent Families Scotland in Glasgow today to hear their views on how the Scottish Government can create a Fairer Scotland. This comes on the same day as Barnardo’s Scotland and the Scottish Government joined forces to call a halt to proposed cuts.
Mrs Burgess said: “It is alarming to see that women have been disproportionately affected by the UK Government’s benefits cuts and are twice as dependent on social security than men. I am deeply concerned that the UK Government’s £12 billion cuts will only widen this gap.
“With our new powers we will create a fairer and simpler social security system that aims to tackle gender and other inequalities. However we need to know how the UK Government’s cost cutting will affect benefits that are to be devolved.
“Organisations like One Parent Families Scotland and Barnardo’s Scotland see the effects of social security changes on the groups the report highlights as being particularly vulnerable, on a day to day basis, and are rightly concerned about the devastating impact further cuts could have on children.
“We welcome the Committee’s recommendations over Universal Credit and sanctions, and we will continue to do all we can to break down the barriers that prevent women from entering into work.
“Over the next few months we’ll be listening to the people affected by the UK Government’s welfare changes and cuts and, will be making sure we get the views of women on how we can create a system that suits their needs.
“Despite challenges from the UK Government we are tackling poverty head on. Our new Independent Adviser on Poverty and Inequality will be looking at what more we can do to lift people out of poverty, we have invested £296 million in welfare mitigation measures, extended our childcare and are encouraging employers to pay the Living Wage.”
Last week the children’s commissioners for Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland warned in a report to the United Nations that government austerity measures had failed to protect the most vulnerable children. The report said the £12bn of planned cuts would have the biggest effect on the 2.3 million children in the UK estimated to be living in poverty.
Craigroyston praised at Holyrood!
Education Minister congratulates our local community high school
The fantastic improvement of education standards at Craigroyston Community High School was acknowledged this week by Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance MSP.
Ms Constance made her comments following questions from Edinburgh Western MSP Colin Keir – the school sits within Mr Keir’s constituency.
Craigroyston has seen a dramatic improvement in HMIE results as well as using innovative practices within the curriculum.
Colin Keir said: “The way Craigroyston Community High School has improved is a credit to the pupils, staff and the Headteacher Steve Ross. Partnership working, enthusiastic ideas and the will to get better results for the students is driving this school community forward and should be seen as a source of pride for the whole community”.
The parliamentary exchange:
School Leavers (Positive Destinations)
- Colin Keir (Edinburgh Western) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that school leavers are given the best opportunity to go on to a positive destination. (S4O-04498)
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Angela Constance): As I said earlier, the proportion of young people who left school and who have sustained a positive destination has reached a record 91.7 per cent. Curriculum for excellence offers young people learning that promotes academic and vocational qualifications that are informed by the needs of our employers. “Developing the Young Workforce—Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy” sets out our aim to further the links between education and industry.
Our opportunities for all commitment ensures that an offer of further learning or training is in place for all young people until their 20th birthday. Young people are better supported than ever to make the most of the opportunities that are available to them. That includes better career information, advice and guidance so that they can make informed learning and career choices based on labour market demand.
Colin Keir: Does the cabinet secretary agree that the actions that have been taken at Craigroyston Community High School in my constituency, which has had a magnificent improvement in Education Scotland reports through enlightened changes to its curriculum as well as partnership with local businesses, should be seen as an excellent model for preparing students for life beyond school as well as a source of pride for the local community?
Angela Constance: Yes. I have visited Craigroyston Community High School on two occasions, the first of which was for the launch of the report of the commission for developing Scotland’s young workforce.
I congratulate the headteacher, staff and pupils of Craigroyston on the improvements that they have made.
Education Scotland has identified key strengths in the school, such as its co-ordinated and high-quality support for young people and their families and the shared vision that is securing positive destinations for young people. Those are key aspects of raising attainment. I know that the headteacher shared his curriculum model with other secondary headteachers at a national conference on Curriculum for Excellence earlier this year.
Holyrood set to rock!
A nation-wide competition to find the best new musical talent in Scotland, whilst encouraging young people to use their vote in the 2016 Holyrood election, was been launched in the Scottish Parliament yesterday.
Presiding Officer, the Rt. Hon Tricia Marwick MSP was joined by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the other Holyrood party leaders to announce details of the competition. David Hershaw and Sandie Forbes from Fife-based contemporary folk band The Dandylions were also on hand to lend their support and to encourage bands from across Scotland to apply.
Taking place throughout October, the competition will comprise eight regional heats. Forming part of the Rocktober Festival of events, the heats will take place in community spaces and venues in constituencies across Scotland. The final, Holyrood Rocks, will be staged at the Scottish Parliament on Saturday 31 October.
A panel of MSPs and industry experts will be invited to select one act from their regional heat to go through to the final and the winning act will be given the opportunity to record with an XFM producer at their studios in London’s Leicester Square.
Presiding Officer, Rt. Hon Tricia Marwick MSP said: “This competition is an exciting and innovative way to support musical talent whilst also encouraging the participation of young people in the political process.
“MSPs from across the political spectrum are delighted to be involved and I look forward to welcoming the best of Scotland’s emerging musical talent to Holyrood this October.”
The competition is organised in association with the Scottish Political and Cultural Partnership (SPCP) and also aims to raise awareness of the career opportunities available in Scotland across the creative industries and to emphasise the importance of these industries to the economy.
Fraser Paterson of The Scottish Political and Cultural Partnership commented:
“We’re delighted to have the full backing of the Scottish Parliament for what promises to be a fantastic project. We can’t wait to take Holyrood Rocks across the country, hearing the views of Scotland’s young people and encouraging them to make their voice heard.”
Entries are welcome from unsigned acts whose members are all over 16 years of age. There is no upper age limit.
Visit www.scottish.parliament.uk/holyroodrocks for the most up to date information on the Roctober Festival and Holyrood Rocks events and also for information on how to apply to take part.
St George’s girls fly the flag for Edinburgh
St George’s face thirty opponents in Euroquiz final
In which European city could you find the oldest amusement park in the world? Which European country has the ‘zloty’ as its currency? Do you know when the European Coal and Steel Community was founded?
These are examples of some of the tough questions that will face over 120 primary P6 from all over Scotland who will take over the Scottish Parliament’s Debating Chamber today (Monday 11 May).
Thirty schools have debated their way through a series of heats to represent their local authority areas in the Euroquiz final at Holyrood and the capital will be represented by Ravelston’s St. George’s School for Girls.
Deputy Presiding Officer and Euroquiz quizmaster Elaine Smith MSP said: “Euroquiz is a fun and engaging way for children to learn about Europe and Scotland’s place in the world. It’s wonderful that our children are growing up in Scotland so knowledgeable about our European neighbours and the level of awareness of the participants never fails to impress.
“I am delighted that the Scottish Parliament is once again hosting the final of Euroquiz and I look forward to welcoming the teams and their supporters to Holyrood.”
The Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) has been running the quiz since 1993 and this is the eighth year the event has been held at the Scottish Parliament. The event is sponsored by the European Parliament and the Scottish Government.
Minister for Learning, Alasdair Allan MSP said: “It’s great to see so many children and young people from around Scotland participating in this year’s Euroquiz final and putting their knowledge to the test of all things European. I hope every team has enjoyed their experience this year.”
Each of the 30 Scottish schools taking part in the quiz have already won their local authority round and will be competing against the winners of all the other heats in the final. Bon chance, St George’s!
A live webcast of the event will be accessible via the Scottish Parliament’s website at – http://www.scottishparliament.tv/